Agenda item

(a)  That the masterplan set out in the Vision Document at Appendix One be agreed and North West Quadrant LLP’s (“the developer” or “NWQ LLP”) intention to proceed to prepare a hybrid planning application for the entire NWQ site, which was targeted to be submitted in Q1 2021 be noted;

(b)  That it be noted that the split hybrid planning application, explained in Section 5 of the report, would include outline proposals for the community site, with the intention that NWQ LLP would seek a flexible use approach to this part of the site on a parameters basis (subject to Local Planning Authority approval), in recognition that the intended use(s) would be informed by further business planning,

(c)  That a £50,000 budget be agreed to progress an options review and further business planning associated with the cultural/educational site. The output to be a costed business case assessing the preferred option for the mix, quantum and location of cultural uses in alignment with the evolving Regeneration Framework,

(d)  That delegated authority be given to the Council’s Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader, to agree the Business Plan for the NWQ project and agree and execute amendments to existing documents or supplemental documents which are required as a result of the proposed change of ownership of North West Quadrant LLP; and

(e)  That officers present an update to Cabinet in September 2020 on the outcome of the options review and business planning for the site noted as the “community” site, in the Masterplan.

The Cabinet considered a report and received a presentation on the masterplan for the Heart of Slough North West Quadrant site.  The Part II appendices to the report were considered during Part I without disclosing any of the exempt information.

The Council had been working with Slough Urban Renewal on the masterplan that sought to maximise the social, economic and financial value of the key site for Slough.  Despite the current challenges, it was anticipated that the redevelopment of the site would progress as planned with Phase 1 due to be completed by 2024.  The scheme was a major part of the recovery and renewal of Slough.

The Masterplan Scheme currently envisaged 1,300 homes, 304,000 sq.ft. of commercial office space with two Grade A office buildings, 26,000 sq.ft. of ancillary retail and leisure space, and car parking.  The design proposals were at an early stage and were not fixed.  Discussions regarding building heights continued and the Cabinet commented that it was prepared to support the volume of development in principle, but further consideration would need to be given to the design in specific locations.

The aim was to create a new destination on the former Thames Valley University site which the Council had acquired in 2017.  In 2019 the Cabinet had agreed to give an option to Slough Urban Renewal through North West Quadrant LLP, a subsidiary managed and governed by SBC and Muse.  Given the scale and complexity of the projects amendments of the governance were required including changes to the Partnership Agreement as set out in Appendix Two.

The Cabinet welcomed the positive progress that continued to be made on the scheme and the recommendations were agreed.  Councillor Mann did not vote on the matter as she was a member of the Planning Committee and would be expected to make a determination on a future application.

Resolved –

(a)That the masterplan set out in the Vision Document at Appendix One be agreed and North West Quadrant LLP’s (“the developer” or “NWQ LLP”) intention to proceed to prepare a hybrid planning application for the entire NWQ site, which was targeted to be submitted in Q1 2021 be noted;

(b)That it be noted that the split hybrid planning application, explained in Section 5 of the report, would include outline proposals for the community site, with the intention that NWQ LLP would seek a flexible use approach to this part of the site on a parameters basis (subject to Local Planning Authority approval), in recognition that the intended use(s) would be informed by further business planning,

(c)That a £50,000 budget be agreed to progress an options review and further business planning associated with the cultural/educational site. The output to be a costed business case assessing the preferred option for the mix, quantum and location of cultural uses in alignment with the evolving Regeneration Framework,

(d)That delegated authority be given to the Council’s Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader, to agree the Business Plan for the NWQ project and agree and execute amendments to existing documents or supplemental documents which are required as a result of the proposed change of ownership of North West Quadrant LLP; and

(e)That officers present an update to Cabinet in September 2020 on the outcome of the options review and business planning for the site noted as the “community” site, in the Masterplan.